New Japan Pro Wrestling
World Tag League 2018 Night 13
December 3, 2018
Kochi Prefectural Gymnasium
Kochi, Japan

Watch: NJPW World

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka (10) Def. Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida (0)

The Young Lions jumped Suzuki Gun at the bell, which was cool and different. There was a really cool closing sequence with Umino and Suzuki, it made you really root for Umino (even more than you already would I guess?) because of all the grief Suzuki has given Young Lions, you just wanted to see them get one back. Of course, this wasn’t to be, but this was one of the better openers compared to the last couple of nights. ***

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (16) Def. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi (2)

Sorry, Nagata but I’m afraid you’re a part of the worst (in ring) team in this tournament, and it’s not really your fault. **1/4

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Hangman Page & Yujiro Takahashi (8) Def. Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan (6)

Tencozy has been a low key pretty fun team, sure they’re always the third match on the card and yes, they were never going to win but next to the other New Japan Dad team – miles apart in terms of entertainment and this was no different. Hangman has really become something and he’s pretty over in all these smaller Japan towns they’re running in. ***

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer (14) Def. Juice Robinson & David Finlay (12)

A little disappointing on the “hey, this could be neato” scale, it was good but maybe the heat on Finlay was a little long. If you’re only going 8 minutes I don’t need to see the babyface being beaten down for a lot of it especially given that these two teams are pretty good. ***

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Michael Elgin & Jeff Cobb (12) Def. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi (10)

I really liked this! ‘Dangerous Tekkers’ has been the pleasant surprise of the tournament and they had another match of the night tonight. Zack is so good at just crumbling and folding over after a big elbow strike or kick. Elgin and Cobb are starting to put together a nice tournament as well. I’d watch this one if I was you. ***1/2

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano (16) Def. Togi Makabe & Toa Henare (12)

This was good. Short ‘n’ sweet and hard-hitting. It reminded of how great the chemistry between Ishii and Henare is. If you really like one of the guys in this match, watch it I suppose. Otherwise it is entirely skippable. ***1/4

WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 MATCH
EVIL & SANADA (16) Def. Beretta & Chuckie T (10)

Hmm did I say the Elgin/Cobb vs. ZSJ/Taichi match was the match of the night? This might be a little better. At least the closing sequence in this match was better and that’s something both teams have been consistently really good at over this tour. No continuation of the Chuckie angle, which makes sense since this was both a VOD show and the semi-main event, so just let the fellas wrestle I say. ***1/2

Final Thoughts:

A much better show compared to the dismal Osaka outing. Better tournament matches and no underwhelming Okada/Tana vs. Bullet club main event to watch or review. I am TERRIFIED we are getting a three-way final and it’s even more terrifying since The Dome match will probably be a three-way too. I know there are still three nights left but just make the final EVIL & SANADA vs. Ishii & Yano and give them 20 minutes. The Tongans don’t lose anything not being there, they’re the champions already for Kraetsch sake.